Chicken, Rice, and Mushroom Casserole is a creamy chicken casserole that’s a great way to use up leftover chicken. No canned soup used in this from-scratch recipe.
From-Scratch Recipe Using Leftover Chicken
Cooler weather calls for comforting, hearty meals. This chicken and rice casserole with mushrooms fits the bill. Pecans on top add a crunchy butteriness. It’s a great way to use up leftover chicken (or turkey). A rotisserie chicken can be used instead. This recipe is made from scratch so it will appeal to those who have an aversion to canned cream soups. Best things about casseroles is they’re a complete meal in one dish and they make a delicious dinner any night of the week. I added some frozen peas as an easy side just to lighten (and brighten) the meal up a bit.
This is a recipe from From a Southern Oven: The Savories, The Sweets
that I’ve adapted some. From A Southern Oven is a new addition to my cookbook collection and it has lots of interesting recipes that I can’t wait to try including Muscadine Mystery Cake, Sweet Potato Schnitzel, ,and Pecan-and-Rice Stuffed Vidalias. There’s also a recipe for Baked Curried Deviled Eggs. In all my years of looking through cookbooks I’ve never seen such a recipe.
Storage
Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days and can be reheated in the microwave.
More Chicken Casseroles
- Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole
- Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole
- Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Casserole
- Chicken Wild Rice Casserole with Green Beans
- Chicken and Dumpling Casserole
Chicken, Rice, and Mushroom Casserole
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons butter,, divided
- 8 ounces cremini mushrooms,, sliced
- 1/4 cup sherry
- 1 large yellow onion,, diced
- 1 small stalk celery,, diced
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon rubbed sage
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup half-and-half
- 1 1/2 cups converted rice,, cooked according to package directions
- 3 cups diced cooked chicken
- 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly butter a 2 1/2 quart casserole and set aside.
- In a large skillet, melt 1 tablespoon butter over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and cook, stirring frequently, 8 to 10 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer mushrooms to a small bowl. Add sherry to the bowl and set aside.
- Add remaining butter to skillet and sauté onion and celery until lightly browned, about 5 to 6 minutes.
- Sprinkle flour, salt, pepper, thyme, and sage over onions. Use a whisk to stir the flour/onion mixture for 1 minute.
- Gradually add broth, whisking to incorporate it into flour.
- Whisk in half-and-half and cook, stirring frequently, until mixture boils and thickens, about 3 to 5 minutes. Season with additional salt and pepper if desired.
- Return mushrooms along with sherry to the skillet. Mix in cooked rice, chicken, and parmesan cheese.
- Transfer mixture to prepared casserole dish. Top with pecans. Bake uncovered for 25 minutes, until bubbling.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Disclosure: Spicy Southern Kitchen is an amazon.com affiliate.
Made this last night with some left over Rotisserie chicken that I didn’t want to go bad. It was wonderful!!! My husband loved it!!!! This will be a new family favorite, easy company dinner for company and casserole to take to friends. I tweaked it a bit. Your picture had peas next to the casserole. I thought, what if they were in the casserole? I added part of a package of frozen peas (I cooked them in the microwave first). It added a little color. I used sweet Vermouth because I didn’t have Sherry. It’s a Winner, Winner Chicken Dinner and definitely a Keeper!
I love casseroles in the cold weather! This looks so creamy and delicious 🙂
Love casseroles and this one sounds great with all the hearty flavors and a what a great way to use up any leftover chicken 🙂 Love the crunch from the added pecans too – yum!
My comfort meal = mac and cheese 🙂
Ooh, I love a good casserole. I think I could eat this everyday!
Lovely recipe, I am love comfort food so this is a great way to make when it starts to rain.. I also have a lot of pecans I could use!! Yummy 🙂
Yes, I remember you went pecan picking recently! 🙂
This sounds like the perfect Autumn meal! Love the idea of the pecans on top – bet that gives a wonderful texture… nomnomnom
I have some poached chicken leftover from yesterday, so I think I’ve know what are we having for dinner! It looks scrumptious, thanks for sharing 🙂